Textbook Titans dominant in district win against Wharton

By Rick Cantor
Staff writer

TAMPA – The tension in the thick, humid air of the mid-October was palpable as the final notes of the national anthem rung out. Kickoff was just a few minutes away and the game billed by many all week as the game of the year in Hillsborough County was about to begin.

After a week of buzz on social media, and with a standing room only crowd looking on, Tampa Bay Tech, a 2021 state semi-finalist, and winners of twenty consecutive regular season games were set to battle with red hot Wharton, dominant since dropping their season opener.

With a sold-out stadium looking on, it would be easy to lose focus and get caught up in the hype.

But for Jayson Roberts’ Titans, it was just another day at the office as Tech jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in a dominant 28-0 win, taking the lead in Class 3M-District 4 win over Wharton.

The game was textbook Tampa Bay Tech (8-0, 2-0) from the beginning.

Chapter One: Incredible Plays from The Wideouts

Titans junior WR Jonye Rosebury.

In the first drive of the game, junior Jonye Rosebury (three receptions, 120 yards) outleapt a Wharton defender and caught the ball against his opponents’ helmet, conjuring up shades of the David Tyree helmet catch in Super Bowl 42, eventually leading to a touchdown by senior signal caller Zay Washington.

“We knew when we came out here, we couldn’t play slow. We had to come out fast,” said Rosebury. “It’s a blessing to come out and play with these guys. We have the best receiving core in the state. I’ll put us against anybody.”

Chapter Two: Run it with Rod

Junior running back Rod Gainey has a knack for getting through the cracks, spinning out of tackles, and busting through the wide-open holes his massive offensive line provides. In the second quarter, the Wildcats failed to convert a fourth-and-one after receiving a less than favorable spot. It took Gainey (13 carries, 189 yards) two plays to find paydirt, cashing in on a 33-yard touchdown run to give Tech the two-score lead.

Chapter Three: Bend but don’t break defense

Tampa Bay Tech senior Antonio Camon.

The Tech PA announcer alluded to this on the first series of the game, and it rang true late in the second half as Wharton threatened with a first and goal at the eight-yard line. It was there that the Titan defense stiffened, getting penetration, and stopping runs by the Wildcats talented duo of running backs in Stacy Gage and Naheim Doctor to force a turnover on downs.

Big plays by senior stalwarts like Pitt commit Antonio Camon (sack, interception) and free safety Norris Davis (interception) keyed the shutout.

“This week was Senior Week, so we knew we had to get the job done,” said Camon. “We wanted to finish with a bang. We wanted to remember this day.”

Chapter Four: We Are Family

While there is no doubt the Titans have all the necessary ingredients for success (speed, size, athleticism, work ethic), 12th-year head coach Roberts also knows there is more to it.

“It comes from having a staff that, these guys know every single guy on the staff genuinely cares about them,” said Roberts. “We care about them as people. We are going to coach their tails off, and the reason is we want to see them be successful. We are not going to accept anything but their very best. The kids know that, and it really resonates with them”

For Wharton (5-2, 1-1), things couldn’t seem to get on track. After the goal-line stand in the second quarter that could have cut the lead in half, Tech drove 90 yards, aided by a 77-yard play to Rosenbury and a back-breaking touchdown on a toss from Washington (7-for-15 202 yards, passing touchdown, rushing touchdown) to Syncere Styles the game was all but out of reach.

“We have a veteran group of guys. We played 15 games last year, and against some really good opponents,” said Roberts. “I think all of that experience made a difference in the game tonight.”

Tech is back at it with another highly anticipated game at Jesuit next Friday; while the Wildcats look to regroup at Bloomingdale, and are still very much in playoff contention in 3M-Region 1.

Week 8 Final Scores

Dunedin 0
Berkeley Prep 52

Freedom 0
Armwood 70

Jesuit 42
Gaither 21

Cambridge Christian 7
Clearwater Central Cath 42

Hillsborough 70
Leto 6

Plant City 15
Plant 38

Strawberry Crest 21
Alonso 31

Bloomingdale 31
Spoto 21

Jefferson 26
Robinson 28

East Lake 49
Sickles 7

Carrollwood Day 49
Seffner Christian 7

Sumner 28
Riverview 21

Tampa Catholic 54
Blake 6

Newsome 33
Durant 34 (OT)

Palm Harbor 0
Steinbrenner 42

Middleton 45
Brandon 0

King 50
Chamberlain 12

East Bay 35
Lennard 0

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